Wake Surf Suggestions

[matthewfraase]

Hey all! So we finally got out to surf for the first time ever as a family and on our Yamaha AR210. We’ve never done it before, I was able to get up on my first try from my snowboard and wakeboard knowledge.

We had the Gantlin Wake Wedge attached, 750 lb ballast on the swim platform and 400 lb bag in the center.

Our wake (if you can call it that) as you’ll see in the YouTube video is very rough and bubbly. No form of an actual wave wake to be found. I’m wondering what kind of adjustments we could make to improve the surf wake, it was virtually impossible to go ropeless unless I was inches from the swim deck. Any suggestions on ballast or the wedge would be great. I wonder if we had to much back weight?

 

[Scottintexas]

Was your boat leaning/listing?

It looks like your rear bag was in the center?

What speed were you going?

 

[Scottintexas]

What angle was the wedgw set at?

 

[matthewfraase]

Was your boat leaning/listing?

It looks like your rear bag was in the center?

What speed were you going?

Bag was set and strapped on the side of the surfer, speed was a little over 10 mph. The boat I felt was leaning downward, the platform was nearly touching the water on the side of the bag.

 

[matthewfraase]

What angle was the wedgw set at?

Initially I think I had it at to much of an angle, I put it up more to that 10-15 degree angle that’s suggested.

 

[jcyamaharider]

No way that is 10mph. Check your speed with a GPS. Wedge angle too far down will make the wave do that also.

 

[matthewfraase]

No way that is 10mph. Check your speed with a GPS. Wedge angle too far down will make the wave do that also.

to slow or fast from eye balling it? Tough to tell without a perfect pass system, I can see it’s value and why so many promote it

 

[jcyamaharider]

Way too slow. It wasn't even fast enough to have the wave form yet.

 

[matthewfraase]

Way too slow. It wasn't even fast enough to have the wave form yet.

perfect! I appreciate the insight, been on the lakes of Minnesota my whole life wakeboarding and skiing but this is a new arena for me. We’ll throttle it up a bit!

 

[anmut]

Agree, too slow, another 2mph and the curl will start!

 

[matthewfraase]

Agree, too slow, another 2mph and the curl will start!

Thank you so much for the assistance! I’ve read a lot on the threads how it’s a science, cool to have a new challenge and learn about. Thanks again!

 

[J-RAD]

Fluid dynamics


I agree, that your wave is not fully forming due to the lack of speed.

 

[anmut]

Fluid dynamics
View attachment 155252

I agree, that your wave is not fully forming due to the lack of speed.

I'm going to put this poster up at work.

 

[Shady28]

We consistently get the best wake when the speedometer flutters between 10/11 mph. Eyeballing it, is looks like you're running slow and that's probably the culprit in foaming out your wake, a bit more speed and you should see an immediate improvement. Try experimenting without anyone surfing as it will save time and be faster for tuning.

 

[Wicked92]

Fluid dynamics
View attachment 155252

I agree, that your wave is not fully forming due to the lack of speed.

this is fucking great.

We are a special bunch that will try our hardest to get the results some of you veterans have.

 

[biffdotorg]

Agree, too slow, another 2mph and the curl will start!

I would agree with all the others, that wave was not even forming.

Matthew, how deep were you as well? As that wave will never form in the bay or below 10' of water either. The video looks like you were out on the main lake though. Once you do get it to form, a slight turn into the surfer may help as well.

Good luck!

 

[3 green tornados]

Definitely speed in the video is to slow like others have said. We normally punch it until we get to 12ish then back down until it settles in. Sometimes in the river we are as low as 9 and as high as 13. In the lake low 10’s-mid 11s is normally good. All the lakes we are have depths greater than 20’ so I don’t know how shallow water will change it.

Remember that the driver has to learn to “create it” just like the surfer has to learn to ride and develops their style.

We don’t have a perfect pass and it can be a bit tricky on the speed especially when I surf in the river. You can also play with ballast and getting the surfer’s corner under water to the step for us seems to be the best especially when we have a little more weight in the bow.

 

[anmut]

All I can say is @Ridesteady 1000% changed our ability to create and keep a wave. Possibly saved our marriage too.

 

[biffdotorg]

Definitely speed in the video is to slow like others have said. We normally punch it until we get to 12ish then back down until it settles in. Sometimes in the river we are as low as 9 and as high as 13. In the lake low 10’s-mid 11s is normally good. All the lakes we are have depths greater than 20’ so I don’t know how shallow water will change it.

Remember that the driver has to learn to “create it” just like the surfer has to learn to ride and develops their style.

We don’t have a perfect pass and it can be a bit tricky on the speed especially when I surf in the river. You can also play with ballast and getting the surfer’s corner under water to the step for us seems to be the best especially when we have a little more weight in the bow.

Yup, we learned that valuable lesson. Water below 10' will change the way the wave shapes for sure. It's not his issue above, as he is out in the main lake in well over 20'. It surprised me as well when I first learned that. But in sub 10' of water, we never got the wave to shape properly.

 

[matthewfraase]

I would agree with all the others, that wave was not even forming.

Matthew, how deep were you as well? As that wave will never form in the bay or below 10' of water either. The video looks like you were out on the main lake though. Once you do get it to form, a slight turn into the surfer may help as well.

Good luck!

Thanks! We were in the main body, depth finder said around 18 feet. We will get it to the right speed and try that slight turn. Appreciate the information!